Event benefits Whitewater family affected by cancer

The Babcock family, clockwise from left, Sue, Todd, Sage, 11, Keely, 7, and Bowen, 9, this year will be the beneficiaries of the sixth-annual Kade’s Klassic, a 5K run/walk and golf outing, June 27 in Lake Geneva. Sue Babcock in April 2009 was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to her brain, and medical bills have piled up and become a burden for the family.

WHITEWATER  Sue (Billings) Babcock never had a cough, never experienced shortness of breath, never had any pain in her chest.

But the Whitewater woman finally went to the emergency room about a year ago after persistent headaches and bout of forgetfulness.

She was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to her brain. She has had 18 rounds of brain radiation and has been on a relatively new cancer drug—both of which shrunk the tumors within just a couple months of the diagnosis. She continues to stay positive about her recovery.

“I told the doctor I would do whatever we needed to do to fix it,” she said. “I have a husband who needs a wife, and three little babies who need a mom.

“The doctor warned me that (the treatments) were very expensive. I told the doctor I didn’t care. I want to live.”

Sue and her family—husband, Todd, and children Sage, 11, Bowen, 9, and Keely, 7—this year will be the beneficiaries of the sixth-annual Kade’s Klassic, a 5K run/walk and golf outing, Sunday, June 27, in Lake Geneva.

Kade’s Klassic is a nonprofit organization the Vance family of Richmond Township started in response to the kindness the community showed them after their son, Kade, was seriously injured in a car accident in November 2004.

The event this year is the first to benefit a family affected by illness or injury, said Jill Vance. Events of years past helped children affected by illness or injury, but the nonprofit recently changed its bylaws to include families, she said.

Sue, a special education aide in Whitewater, isn’t the first one in the family to go through cancer.

Todd, a special education teacher in Milton, in 1996 was diagnosed and treated for testicular cancer that had spread to his lymph nodes and spine. He now is considered cancer-free after two surgeries removed the tumors and a large part of his lymphnodes.

Sue credits her husband with keeping her and their children positive.

“He’s been very strong for me and for the kids,” she said.

Sue is humbled that the Vances chose her and her family to benefit from the annual Kade’s Klassic.

“I said, ‘No,’ at first because there are so many people who deserve it much more than we do. But my husband talked me into it. It was a hard decision to let them sponsor us,” she said. “It’s a pretty cool thing.”

IF YOU GO

What: Kade’s Klassic, a 5K run/walk and golf outing to benefit the Billings-Babcock family of Whitewater.

When: Sunday, June 27.

Where: Hawk’s View Golf Club, 7377 Krueger Road, Lake Geneva.

Details: 5K run/walk: Registration is 6:15 to 7:15 a.m. Race starts at 7:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to first-place finishers. Lockers and showers are available.

-- Nine-hole scramble golf outing: Registration is from 8 to 9:15 a.m. Shotgun start is at 9:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to top-placing teams. Other events include the “Height in Beer” contest, “Hole-in-One” contest and “Longest Drive” contest.

-- Lunch: Lunch starts at 11 a.m. Runners, walkers and others not participating in golf may purchase tickets in advance.

-- Other events: A raffle, silent auction and live auction will take place throughout the afternoon. Raffle and auction items include Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers tickets, an autographed Tony Romo football jersey, an AKC female black Labrador puppy and golf packages.

Information: Go to kadesklassic.org or call (262) 903-1692 to have a form mailed to you.